Sunderland 0-0 Man City: Pep Guardiola's side held as Black Cats maintain unbeaten home record
Report and free match highlights as Sunderland produce an outstanding defensive performance to hold Man City at the Stadium of Light; Pep Guardiola's side now sit four points behind Arsenal; Black Cats are now unbeaten in 10 home games this season
Thursday 1 January 2026 23:05, UK
Manchester City missed the chance to go back within two points of leaders Arsenal as Sunderland held out for a goalless draw to maintain their unbeaten record at the Stadium of Light.
Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday left City needing to win to keep pace with them but Regis Le Bris' side doggedly withstood their second-half pressure in an absorbing encounter which featured vital saves from both goalkeepers.
Robin Roefs thwarted Erling Haaland from one of only two City shots in the first half, then produced similarly impressive stops to deny Savinho and substitute Josko Gvardiol after the interval.
Gvardiol looked City's most likely scorer, striking the outside of the post with one acrobatic effort then seeing a close-range shot heroically blocked as the clock ticked down.
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Sunderland defended superbly, led by centre-backs Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele, who shackled Haaland, and spurned chances themselves, with Gianluigi Donnarumma having to make fine stops from Brian Brobbey, Simon Adingra and Eliezer Mayenda.
Another Sunderland opportunity saw Trai Hume head wastefully over from the excellent Granit Xhaka's cross.
Guardiola threw on returning pair Rodri and Jeremy Doku, as well as Gvardiol, as City dominated long periods of the second period but Sunderland remained resolute, roared on by their fans.
City's pressure continued into stoppage time, when one final chance saw another substitute, Tijani Reijders, shoot straight at Roefs, leaving Haaland furious that he hadn't passed instead as their eight-game winning run was brought to an end.
The result leaves Arsenal in a strong position in the title race, four points clear of City at the Premier League summit, while Sunderland continue to defy pre-season expectations in seventh place, their unbeaten home run extended to 10 games.
WATCH: The best of the chances
Guardiola: We created enough to win
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports: "Take the point. Second half was excellent. We missed chances. We could not score in the six-yard box.
"We didn't do what we talked about in the first half - to break the lines, have the composure to break them - but in general it was a really good game.
"It was better second half, the guys did everything. They are a bit heads down, but we have to be heads up because in three days we have a difficult game against Chelsea.
"We created enough chances, we played good second half. The commitment, the desire, the first half was different.
"We created enough - the two chances from Savinho in the second half, Jeremy, Josko, Phil [Foden] and Erling. We had a lot but unfortunately we could not do it."
'Sunderland are growing'
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris said: "It was a good game against a really strong opponent, one of the best in Europe.
"Important to defend properly. We showed we can defend high, when they came a bit higher with their quality we had to manage the ball in the final third. They created many chances but the character was good. Even when we were on the edge we had one foot, one head, something to protect the ball.
"It was important to escape their counter press, they were excellent a few weeks ago at the Etihad and it was impossible to escape their counter press. We did well with that today. We are growing and learning from different experiences.
"It's a question of experience, the standards in our team are high. They want to get better. If you stay at the same level, the league is going so fast that you'll be finished. They are still ambitious."
Analysis: Rodri's return may prove crucial
Manchester City's players may have been left with their "heads down", to quote Guardiola, but their evening was not without positives. Rodri's return from injury is a huge boost. Especially given the quality of his performance.
On at half-time to replace Nico Gonzalez for his first appearance since November and only his second since October, the 29-year-old looked every bit like his old self. Manchester City were transformed by his introduction, only missing a goal.
There were instant reminders of his quality, the first of which came when he slid an incisive pass through to Phil Foden in the lead-up to the first of two Savinho chances in quick succession. "Rodri gave us the second pass, to break the lines," said Guardiola.
He finished the game having made 58 passes, nearly 40 per cent more than the player he replaced, Nico Gonzalez, in the same number of minutes. Rodri kept City moving forward. There were accurate switches of play, chances created and second balls won.
His efforts were not rewarded with three points. Arsenal were the only winners on the night. But his return, coupled with that of a rejuvenated Jeremy Doku, may yet prove crucial.
Haaland nullified - Opta stats
- Man City's Erling Haaland has failed to score in either game against Sunderland this season. They're the only side he's faced but not scored against in the Premier League, netting against all other 23 sides.
- Sunderland are just the second promoted team to remain unbeaten in their first 10 home games in a Premier League campaign, after Ipswich Town in 1992/93 (first 11).
- Manchester City's 2.25 xG was their highest in a Premier League game in which they failed to score since March 2022 (2.92 vs Crystal Palace).
